Budundo and Boda's

I woke to the sound of children this morning. Babies crying, children yelling and squealing. I think I may have even heard a monkey in the trees outside. 

I got up at 8am and only one of the other girls was up. It was nice to be almost alone for a while and reflect on God's Word and draw strength for the day ahead.

"Let Your work appear to Your servants, and Your glory to their children. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands." 

Psalm 90:16-17

The weather is perfect at the moment. It's a little more humid than home, but  not uncomfortably so. There always seems to be a fresh breeze coming through the windows. It's warm enough that you only need a sheet at night, but cool enough to sleep comfortably. 

I had Vegemite on toast for breakfast with a much needed coffee. I have to admit I'm a little fussy with my coffee and so I never had one on the flights. So I've been craving my coffee for a little while. Mum wouldn't let me take our espresso machine with me:). They have a plunger in the kitchen and the coffee wasn't too bad. 

I haven't been doing much this morning. I got some blogging done and sent off some emails. Then I spent some time tiding my corner of the room and unpacking my suitcase. My bed is up quite high with a little desk and stool underneath and space to hang my clothes. The bed is up high enough that I can stand up underneath with about an inch to spare. There are 2 other girls in my room; Paige and Katelyn. They are both eighteen and come from California. 

For lunch one of the local women cooks for everyone. Today we had cornmeal, potatoes, lentil stew and cabbage. Apparently we get meat about 3 times a week. I haven't been very hungry, I think just because I've been tired, but I really enjoyed lunch. The cornmeal was the only thing I didn't enjoy that much. It's not horrible but it's really just a filler and has no flavour. The potatoes were really nice, they were sought of like the consistency of potato salad but hot and seasoned. I also really liked the cabbage, it was cooked with something like chili but it wasn't spicy. 

After that, 2 other girls and I headed for Budundo, a village about a half hour drive. We were picked up by a lady, Charlie, who runs the kids program. She is from Australia too. Charlie and about 5 local men run the program every Saturday. The other girls I went with, Nicole and Katelyn, had never done this before so none of us knew what to expect. Nicole is older than most of us, but she's the most talkative of the group. She's been really helpful to me in settling in. 

As soon as we arrived at Budundo and hopped out of the bus my hands were occupied with several other little hands:). I'm not good with numbers but I think there would have been 100 kids or more. We sat down on tarps with the kids to start. One older girl near me was holding a little girl about 9 months old. The older girl wanted to move spots, so she passed the baby to me. I was more than happy to hold a baby girl:). She was adorable. I felt privileged and this little girl was quite happy being held. 

One of the guys had a guitar and led the kids in singing. I stood up with my new baby and clapped along to the songs. Then they split the kids up for a bible story. Katelyn went with the littlies, I went with the 5-10s and Nicole went with the older kids. All the kids call us girls Aunty, so I was introduced as Aunty Alicia. My driver, Alex, called me "ai-e-sha" and some of the kids said it the same. I didn't do a lot, just passed out work books, read some of the bible story and passed out "sweeties" at the end. Most of the kids don't know English so the whole thing was done in the local language. I'm not sure if it was Lusoga or Luganda. There are so many different tribes in Uganda, you can drive for about half an hour and the people speak a different language. Each tribal group has their own king too, or sometimes just a chief. 

We spent a few hours in Budundo and then Nicole and I got dropped off in Jinja, while Katelyn headed back to Amani. Nicole rented a DVD, they just burn it straight off a computer while you wait. Then we went to the grocery store. Nicole has kindly lent me some money, as the banks aren't open on the weekend. Then we caught a boda home, that's a motorbike. You simply wave someone down and jump on the back. It doesn't matter where you are going, it always costs 1,000 shillings, which is about 50c Australian. It's safer than walking by yourself though accidents can happen. 

It was so good to get back and have a shower. Travelling to the village was very dusty. We came back looking like we'd got a tan we were covered in so much red dust. 

After that I headed over, on a few bodas, with the girls to a place called "The Keep". The girls go there to watch the Olympics. We had tea together and watched TV for a while. I ordered a caesar salad and a milkshake. I'm told that all the food there is safe to eat. Pretty much only mzungus (white people) eat there. Still, my doctor would be having a fit. I'm eating salad and not using my mosquito net. Don't worry I'm still doing all the right things, but I'm not going to live in cotton wool either. I wouldn't be in Africa at all if I was worried about getting sick or something. 

All the girls I'm staying with leave between now and a few weeks into April. So it will be my job to meet and greet the new volunteers coming in next month. 

Any way, we caught a few bodas home and I've been writing and blogging while the others watch movies. 

Tomorrow we leave for church just before 10am and then Sandra is having a party in the afternoon at her place. She is turning 23 on the 23rd. 

I'm looking forward to church tomorrow and meeting more of the locals. 

"You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it."

Psalm 139:5-6

Arriving

I can hear a baby crying:).

It's 9:35pm and I can't remember the last time I felt this tired. I just had a cold shower. It feels so good to wash my hair, but now I have to wait for my hair to stop dripping before I go to bed. 

I've met most of the girls, though I haven't got their names down pat yet. There's 6 other girls staying in the volunteer house with me, some from Canada and some from America. There's a fair bit of discussion about the Winter Olympics at the moment:). Maybe I should have tried to follow the Winter Olympics a little more. 

I've only met one of the kids so far, Jonah. He has spent the evening with us in the volunteer house as he is unwell. He has sickle cell disease which is not uncommon here, but after being to the doctor today they found he has a blood infection now. This is causing his heart to race and could have caused pneumonia if it wasn't treated. He's going home with Sandra, the volunteer liaison, who stays just down the road. She will look after him for a week, to make sure he's cared for properly and goes to the doctor. 

I feel extremely tired and a little overwhelmed, but I can't wait to start tomorrow. I've been told I'm allowed to sleep in tomorrow and I was meant to have the whole day off too. I've been asked, though, if I want to go help out with a kid's club they run in another area. Of course, I said yes. I can't wait to get into work and everything else. I'll probably get taken into town tomorrow to get money changed and do my grocery shopping. 

My last flight was fine. I had to wait a long time in a seemingly endless queue of people to go through customs. Even though I purchased my Visa before coming, they still have to take your picture and all your fingerprints. I had no trouble once I finally got through the line of people and it only took a few minutes to be cleared. Even though my flight had landed early, it took about an hour to get through everything and walk out the doors. I wasn't very surprised as it can take half an hour in Melbourne to get through customs if there's a queue, so I figured being Africa that it would be a little slower. Apparently this mustn't be normal though as the driver who was sent to pick me up was nearly frantic by the time I walked out of the airport. He had begun to panic and thought maybe I had already left through another entrance. As if I'd be brave enough to head out on my own! Alex, my driver took good care of me on the long drive from Entebbe to Jinja. The traffic was quite bad in Kampala so it took a little longer than the normal 3 hours. Alex stopped to buy me water and raised my window every time we stopped in a busy intersection so that I would be safe. Alex chatted a little and I tried to make conversation but found it difficult as I was so tired. I asked him about his family and any other questions I had about Uganda. He lives in Jinja and often picks up volunteers for Amani. I fell asleep a few hours into the drive, and almost missed going over the Nile and seeing Lake Victoria! Thankfully, Alex woke me up, so I didn't miss it. After that it wasn't far and I finally arrived at Amani just after 7pm. 

The girl's fed me and made me feel very welcome. I was happy to listen to them talk about the kids here and argue over who's kids were cuter:). I've been told that aside from other activities that will be rotated amongst us, I will be assigned to the "C" cottage with 2 other girls. This cottage is mainly the older boys. 

I don't feel like I've been very social tonight, making conversation is hard when all you want is a nice bed. I can't wait to get to know the other volunteers more over the next few weeks. 

Well, I'm heading off to bed now, my hair is dry enough, and I can't think anymore to write.  

Goodnight!

Travelling

8am-Melb.  12am-Doha

Flight from Melbourne to Doha.

It's a feeling I can't quite explain. I've left everything familiar behind, strange faces all around me, and I'm on my own. Yet, it is far from lonely. God's presence is always with me, and His companionship is more than enough. As I feel God's presence, it's like I can also sense the prayers of those I've left behind too. 

Who am I, Lord, that you should bless me with so much? So many people that love and care for me. You've kept me safe, well, and cared for. 

Lord, Your grace is abundant; Your love unfailing. I'm humbled be all I have, that I don't deserve.

 God even blessed me with the perfect flight buddies! I'm sitting in between 2 boys aged about 7 and 10. Helping them out with movies, meals and seat belts keeps me occupied. I wish I could sleep like them though! At one stage the younger one was curled up in a ball on his seat and the other had his head between his knees! Both sound asleep!

I have managed to get a few hours sleep so far and I don't feel too tired. 

I had downloaded 4 new music albums and 25 sermons before I left. My tactic has been to listen to music and eventually my ipod will choose a sermon. I'll fall asleep listening to John MacArthur's voice. Well, maybe some of the truths of Revelation will sink in as I sleep. :)

Just over half way to Doha. 

"Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. Oh, give thanks to the Lord of Lords! For His mercy endures forever."

Psalm 136:1-3

The above photo is touching down at Doha Airport in Qatar. Just in time for the sunrise. It was 17 degrees. 

10:20am- Doha

Flight from Doha to Entebbe.

Landing in Doha, reminded me of Dubai 2 years ago. They look very similar from the air. The houses are like little sandcastles all laid out in a perfect grid. The photo below is taking off from Doha. 

After my first flight, which felt a never ending darkness before the morning, it's nice to see the sun. I can see the ground beneath and the horizon in the distance. I'm not sure exactly where we are flying over at the moment but we've been in the air about an hour and a half. The landscape is very rugged; mountains, valleys, rivers and desert. I'm up so high it looks like nobody lives down there. 

It's a quieter flight, no little boys to keep me occupied:). The people I'm sitting with don't speak English, I think they are Chinese, so we're limited to smiles. I have a window seat this time though, which I love. 

I can hardly believe how far away from home I am. The world becomes a small place when you hop on a plane. 

I wonder what my fellow passengers are heading for? The flight continues on to Kilgali, Rwanda, so not all are stopping in Uganda. I saw one lady on my flight travelling with her husband who had a Bible verse on her t-shirt. I wonder what they're up to in Africa?

It feels like such a long day, from first boarding in Melbourne Friday morning to final touchdown in Entebbe, will be about 20 hours travelling it will still only be early afternoon on Friday!

Before I forget too, other than watching Thor 2, and Bear Grylls episodes, Ethan and Joel will like to know I watched a few episodes of "Adventure Time":). 

I wonder what God has in store for me over the next 10 weeks? I know that Africa has a way of taking carefully laid plans and turning them upside down. I'm prepared for this though. After all, my plans are not always the best plans. God is in control, and I'll stick close to Him for the ride:).

"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."

Proverbs 16:9

Blessed

I'm all packed and ready to go! I didn't even have to sit on my suitcase to close it! According to Mum's bathroom scales my suitcase is 27 kilos, that's 3 kilos under weight! Plus my carry on bag is almost empty. 

Yes, that is a tube of Vegemite. I'm taking some Aussie culture with me:).

Kirsty has baked me some lemon biscuits for me to snack on during the flight. Lemon is my favourite and I have a feeling that they may just all disappear within the first few hours of my flight:). Thanks Kirsty! 

I had a visit on Tuesday from Jess and Izzy from church. Izzy made me a wonderful little bag and they made up a little travel kit for my flight. On the bag she has also sewn my name. She said it's so I don't forget where I come from and who I am:). They also organised people from church to sign a notebook for me. I feel so loved and blessed. I'll be able to look at my bag of goodies while munching on my biscuits and thank God for all those wonderful people He has placed in my life. 

"...There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

Proverbs 18:24 

My first flight is 14 and a half hours long to Qatar, and the second is 5 and a half hours to Uganda. I'll be arriving at Entebbe airport on Friday at 1:35pm Ugandan time, in Australia it will be 9:35pm. 

The Pearl of Africa

I thought I'd just share a little of what I've learnt about Uganda so far. Of course it's only facts which I've read at the moment, soon I'll be able to share my experiences too!

Uganda is part of East Africa, just below Sudan. The equator runs right through the middle of Uganda and boasts the "Source of the Nile", Lake Victoria. Kampala is the capital city, but I will be staying in Jinja, Eastern Uganda. 

Uganda is well known for the rule of Idi Amin, who declared himself "president for life" in the 1970's. It is estimated over 300,000 Ugandan's died during this time. The country has experienced more stability under its current president, though fighting with the Lord's Resistance Army from South Sudan continues. 

Today Uganda is home to over 300,000 refugees. Most come from the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, but also from Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda. 

Tourists go to Uganda for Gorilla safari's and white water rafting. I'm going to work with children. There are estimated to be 2.5 million orphans in Uganda. Amani Baby Cottage housed 57 children at the end of 2013. 

I can't wait to see Uganda with my own eyes, meet the people who call it home, and experience for myself this corner of God's creation. 

"And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us."
Acts 17:26-27

Gifts

More than half of my suitcase is full of gifts for the kid's. All of which were donated by my church family (except for a few books I couldn't resist adding). I'm looking forward to reading to all the little kiddies:).

If my bags are searched by customs I wonder what they'll say? Baby wipes and dish washing gloves (thanks Jackie!), kid's shoes (thanks Mum!), and a library of children's books (thanks Alex!). My suitcase is definitely a random assortment of items. Of course, I can't take a photo of the enormous amount of prayer that is going with me too (thanks everyone!). 

Only five days left!

Imagine

Can't you just imagine beautiful little ebony feet?

Thank you to those who have graciously given so that little ebony feet might have shoes.